Tomislav95...Russian Circles-Death Rides A Horse
This was a fantastic way to start the round, and to start the CD. Has a Maidenish start to it, but this totally kept my attention all the way through. This makes me want to check out this band further. Oh, and I love the title.
9.0
The Silent Cody...David Maxim Micic-Bilo Pt 3
While Sacul threw some shade at this, I wasn't sure what to expect. The electronic opening kind of threw me, and I figured that was what he was talking about. But it then develops into a cool and heavy thing. I really enjoyed this, at least for the first half. then the second half gets a little loopy. If it ended at about 6 minutes, it would've really been cool. But I have know idea what they were doing for the last minute and a half. Still I liked this track.
8.5
Train Of Naught...God Is An Astronaut-Agneya
I loved this. Has a great pace to it. It builds nicely without lingering. I liked the keyboard sound to this. I was never bored with this. Musically, it reminds me a lot of classic Fields Of the Nephilim. I found that this really hit the spot. I would definitely check out more from this band.
9.0
Shadow Ninja 2.0....Gordian Knot-Rivers Dancing
I liked this as well. This had so many different soundscapes to it, though it never felt choppy. It was heavy, melodic, mellow and rocking, and still managed to feel like one piece of music. The ridiculous solo going on at 6:25 is nuts. Reminded me of Schenker, combining melody and speed. Very cool.
9.0
LordCost....The Ocean-Mesopelagic
Another really good submission. This track has a nice pace. It also builds nicely. Love the part at 3:13. That's cool. And at 4:59, it is all going on. That part really got me rocking out. And while I've complained about many tracks in this roulette overstaying their welcome, I coul've easily taken another minute or two of this.
9.0
home...Caspian-Darkfield
While this takes a while to get going, I could've listened to the percussion part in the beginning forever. Man, that's awesome. This is cool, but for me, this track's pace ultimately lets it down. It feels like it drags a bit. I feel this would've been better a minute ore two shorter.
8.0
Sacul...Kyuss-Asteroid
For a song that's four and a half minutes long, this track meanders way too long in the beginning. Even though it's only the first 38 seconds, it feels like a minute and a half. But then it rips into a cool Sabbath part. But it then jerks off for an entire minute of nonsense. Then it doodles, and basically repeats the Sabbath part. This track needed more Sabbath and less doodling and jerking.
7.5
Tyrias...Russian Circles-Lebaron
Well after hearing Death Rides A Horse, I was very psyched to hear another track from Russian Circles. This sounds like it might be from an earlier album. It's way less polished. I would've never guessed it was the same band. I knid of wished I heard this one first. The opening really didn't grab me like "Death" did. I did like the part 1:30. But the last couple minutes is pretty mid tempo. Just didn't live up to the first one.
7.5
Parama...Thank You Scientist-Rube Goldberg Variations
OK. How the hell do I grade this??
I'll try. So this obviously ain't like the others. I put this at the end of my CD, which was a good place for it, because it kind of stands alone. I must admit, this was a chore to get through. It's kind of Zappaish, which is to say, not my thing. But, if I was clicking the channels on TV one night, and stumbled upon a performance of this, I would absolutely stop dead in my tracks to watch. Awesome solo at 6:30. I'm going to generously give this an 8. I can totally appreciate the musicianship, even though I'm not sure I would listen to it again.
8.0
Standings:
Parama-33.5
LordCost-33.5
Shadow Ninja - 32.5
Home-31.5
Train Of Naught-31.5
Tomislave95-31.5
The Silent Cody-30
Sacul-29.5
Tyrias-29